Middle East

Turkey Calls EU Statements on Syria 'Misguided'
Turkey Calls EU Statements on Syria 'Misguided'

Ankara on Friday accused the EU of adopting "misguided" resolutions condemning violence in Syria and Turkey and said the bloc was interfering in Turkish affairs. European Union lawmakers had on Thursday voted in favour of two resolutions, one condemning violence against civilians in northeastern Syria and calling on regional actors, particularly ...

U.S., Syrian Top Diplomats Meet at Munich Conference
U.S., Syrian Top Diplomats Meet at Munich Conference

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday and they discussed Damascus's recent agreement with the Kurds. A post by the Syrian foreign ministry included pictures showing that the head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum ...

Trump Warns of 'Traumatic' Future for Iran as U.S. Increases Naval Presence
Trump Warns of 'Traumatic' Future for Iran as U.S. Increases Naval Presence

President Donald Trump stated his renewed position regarding Iran on Friday as he green-lit the transfer of a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East. When asked about regime change in Iran, Trump commented that it “seems like that would be the best thing that could happen.” Earlier on Friday, the Trump administration ordered the ...

IMF Delegation Meets Lebanese Leaders to Advance Banking Sector Reforms
IMF Delegation Meets Lebanese Leaders to Advance Banking Sector Reforms

An International Monetary Fund delegation visited Lebanon, including a meeting with U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa on Friday. The visit comes as Lebanon seeks to advance financial restructuring measures required for an IMF-backed program. Since the U.S. has significant leverage within the IMF, Ambassador Issa’s presence to discuss economic ...

US, Syrian Top Diplomats Meet at Munich Conference
US, Syrian Top Diplomats Meet at Munich Conference

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with his Syrian counterpart Asaad al-Shaibani on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference on Friday and they discussed Damascus's recent agreement with the Kurds. A post by the Syrian foreign ministry included pictures showing that the head of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, Mazloum Abdi, ...

Iran-Lebanon Trade Surges as Hezbollah Adapts Smuggling Networks Under Pressure
Iran-Lebanon Trade Surges as Hezbollah Adapts Smuggling Networks Under Pressure

Despite mounting pressure on Hezbollah’s smuggling networks and Iran’s deepening financial crisis, trade flows between Tehran and Beirut surged in 2025, suggesting the two are adapting illicit channels to sustain Hezbollah’s parallel economy. Hezbollah's position has weakened since 2024 and Iran's financial crisis has ...

U.S. Completes Transfer of IS Detainees From Syria to Iraq: CENTCOM
U.S. Completes Transfer of IS Detainees From Syria to Iraq: CENTCOM

The United States Central Command said on Friday it had completed the transfer of thousands of detained Islamic State group suspects held in Syria to Iraq. The detainees had been held in Syria for years in camps overseen by Kurdish-led forces, but the recapture of surrounding territory by Damascus prompted Washington to step in. CENTCOM said it ...

Report: Trump to Unveil Multi-Billion Dollar Gaza Reconstruction Plan
Report: Trump to Unveil Multi-Billion Dollar Gaza Reconstruction Plan

President Donald Trump is set to launch a multi-billion-dollar initiative to rebuild Gaza and deploy a U.N.-authorized stabilization force, according to a report by Reuters citing senior U.S. officials. The announcement will take place at the inaugural meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace next week. The officials said the fund for Gaza will ...

Iran Announces Enquiry Team to Investigate Deadly Protests
Iran Announces Enquiry Team to Investigate Deadly Protests

The Iranian government announced on Friday the establishment of a commission of enquiry to look into protests against the high cost of living that turned into anti-government rallies that left thousands dead. "A fact-finding committee has been formed with representatives from relevant institutions and is collecting documents and hearing ...

Netanyahu Prepares ‘Plan B’ as U.S.-Iran Talks Hang in the Balance
Netanyahu Prepares ‘Plan B’ as U.S.-Iran Talks Hang in the Balance

Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s push to keep negotiations with Iran alive in hopes of securing a deal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing a contingency “Plan B” should the talks collapse. Israeli sources reported that the Israeli army has prepared offensive plans in anticipation of a ...

Iran Releases on Bail Two Reformists Arrested After Protests: Local Media
Iran Releases on Bail Two Reformists Arrested After Protests: Local Media

Iranian authorities released the leader of the country's reformist coalition on bail Friday, days after she was arrested following anti-government protests, local media reported. Azar Mansouri, head of the Reformist Front, "was released from prison a few minutes ago after posting bail", her lawyer Hojjat Kermani told the ISNA news ...